About Us

First, thank you for taking the time to visit TP-JTF and see what we’re building.

My name is Ryan Chastain, founder of Trash Panda Joint Task Force and a retired U.S. Army Infantryman. I spent over 20 years serving in the Army, beginning with the 1-511th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Throughout my career, I served in 511th, 2-505th (82nd Airborne Division), 2-503rd (173rd Airborne Brigade), and 1st Armored Division. I also served as the Senior Military Science Instructor (SMSI) at UTSA ROTC, along with time as both a Drill Sergeant and Recruiter.

I deployed three times to Iraq-once with 511th and twice with 2-505th.

Today, I lead the Skills4Life program with the Military Warriors Support Foundation, where we provide recreational therapy and peer-to-peer support for combat-wounded veterans and Gold Star families.

Where TP-JTF Started

The idea for TP-JTF started a few years ago while I was serving as the SMSI at UTSA and acting as a First Sergeant during Cadet Summer Training-an annual evaluation every ROTC cadet must complete to commission.

Out in the field, there was one constant problem: raccoons.

They were relentless. Organized. Completely undeterred. They would infiltrate patrol bases, steal food, and at times casually walk up and take it straight out of a cadet’s hands.

That’s when I started calling them the Trash Panda Liberation Army of Atropia (TPLAA)- a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fictional battlefield used in Army training rotations like JRTC and NTC. It was one of those things you either immediately understood… or you didn’t. And that was the point.

It became a running joke-but also something more. A shared identity. A quiet nod to those who’ve been there.

What It Became

TPLAA eventually evolved into Trash Panda Joint Task Force (TP-JTF).

What started as humor turned into something with purpose.

TP-JTF is built to represent a specific kind of person-those who operate without recognition, who don’t need validation, and who understand the job still gets done regardless.

Every collection we release gives back-50% of all proceeds go directly to selected veteran-focused nonprofits. Each product clearly states where that support is going.

This isn’t just apparel. It’s a signal.

Something subtle. Something understood by those who know.

 

I appreciate you being here and supporting what we’re building.

More collections are coming.

Stay operational.